Ronald John Heim

Ronald John Heim, 79, of Yorktown, Virginia passed away on October 6, 2023. Born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin son of the late John and Adele Heim, he was preceded in death by two brothers; Kenneth Heim and John (Jack) Heim and an infant sister. He is survived by a brother, Gary (Debbie) Heim of Manitowoc, Wisconsin and four children; Pamela Vanderford, E. Clark Thomasson and Debbie (Joey) Coker all of North Charleston, South Carolina and Leora Taylor of Yorktown, Virginia. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Ashley, Britney, Trey, Noah, Hannah, Danielle and Landin as well as four great grandchildren; McKenzie, Josslyn, Ariell and Windsor. He is survived by a special friend; Sherry Heim, of Sheboygan, Wisconsin and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews spread from coast to coast.
Ron was graduated from Sheboygan North High School in 1962. He attended Marquette University, Pensacola Junior College, Southern University, and was graduated from the University of West Florida as the Navy’s first “Navy Campus for Achievement” Baccalaureate edegree recipient in 1976. He was a veteran having proudly served in the United States Naval Submarine Force for 28 years, 12 enlisted and 16 commissioned. As an enlisted man he was initially trained as a Missile Technician and served on USS Von Steuben for one year. From there he was transferred to Dam Neck, VA where he attended a Ships Inertial Navigation course and changed rates to an Electronics Technician. He was immediately assigned to the USS Henry Clay and served on her for five years including a ship’s overhaul in the Charleston Naval Shipyard. He was short toured at Naval Training Center, Groton, CT, Naval Training Command Pensacola, FL and Naval Training Center, Charleston, SC. He achieved the rate of ETC (SS), E-7, and after receiving the baccalaureate degree was commissioned a LTJG, O-2, as an unrestricted line officer. He bypassed Officer Candidate School and was immediately transferred to Officer Submarine School in Groton, CT, then Poseidon Weapons Officer Training, Dam Neck, VA and the USS Mariano G Vallejo for two years followed immediately by 5 years on the USS Lewis and Clark and one emergency fill on the USS Daniel Webster. He made 13 strategic, deterrent patrols out of Holy Loch, Scotland, Rota, Spain, Charleston, SC, Kings Bay, Georgia and Guam. Following the sea service he served as Flag Secretary for Commander Submarine Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet, COMSUBLANT, as Commanding Officer Naval Torpedo Facility, Yorktown, VA, then Chief Staff Officer Commander Submarine Squadron Six and finally Executive Officer USS Emory S. Land where he retired on February 1, 1992 as a Commander, O-5. Along the way he accumulated a number of medals, 4 Meritorious Service Medals, 4 Navy Commendation Medals, and a Navy Achievement Medal. He often said that he had two wonderful Navy careers, one enlisted and one commissioned officer. But that was just his first career. His second career was that of a Real Estate Salesperson and later as Real Estate Broker. His 26 year career started out with American Veterans Realty, then owner of Veterans Realty, then Buyer’s Broker of Hampton Roads, followed by William E. Wood and finally at Keller Williams Elite-Peninsula where he served as Principal Broker for several years upon its arrival in Newport News on the Virginia Peninsula. He retired from Real Estate in December 2020. He truly enjoyed helping buyers and sellers achieve their home ownership goals. He also enjoyed golf, fishing and most of all teaching real estate to new realtors and helping both new and experienced realtors solve real estate related problems. His job was also his hobby.
In 2021 he moved to North Charleston, South Carolina where he lived with his daughter, Deb, and son in law, Joey. While there he joined the local senior center and enjoyed playing dominoes with his newly made friends.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, October 14, 2023 in Amory Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Peninsula Memorial Park, Newport News. The family will receive friends on Friday from 6:30 to 7:30 pm in the funeral home
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Folds Of Honor (see link below) or to another Veterans charity of your choice, in Ron’s honor. Folds of Honor https://foldsofhonor.org/